help! i want to contribute to an open source project but my boss says no
TRANSCRIPT
Help!
I want to contribute to an Open Source project but my boss says
no.
Patrick McFadin Chief Evangelist for Apache Cassandra
@PatrickMcFadin
Bio! OSS contributor since 1995 ! University advocate for OSS ! Ran a OSS services company ! Lived the corp life ! Now at DataStax
Crusher of Raspberry Pi’s !
Can I contribute to an open source project?
Mmm yeah. We just use OSS.
Why can’t I contribute???
F U D
Fear
Uncertainty
Doubt
Open Source in business! Black Duck OSS Survey
https://www.blackducksoftware.com/news/releases/seventy-eight-percent-companies-run-open-source-yet-many-lack-formal-policies-manage
Now the exception!
64% Participate in OSS projects!
Why it's bad for business?! Talent loss ! Patent loss
Patent loss?
Apache License 2.0Mozilla Public License 2.0
GNU General Public License 3.0
If you contribute code to…
Implicit grant of license on any patented work contributed.
You grant a license to any infringing work regardless if that was what you modified.
Contribution License Agreements
! Used by open source projects ! Protection of both parties ! Contributor has the right to grant rights
Why is OSS contribution good for business?
Recruitment
Vendor lock-in mitigation
Say in direction
Types of contributions
Helping on mailing lists
Bug fixes FeaturesDocs
Risk to the Business
Be a part of the community
Work with an OSS company
Making the case
Find an ally in HR ! Advocate for both sides ! Do you really want to learn all this
stuff?
Proprietary Information Agreement
! aka Non-Disclosure Agreement ! Tailor for OSS contributions ! Everyone is protected
Case studies
Netflix! Big Data ! Build and Delivery Tools ! Common Runtime Services &
Libraries ! Data Persistence ! Insight, Reliability and Performance ! Security
Cannot build Netflix from these!
Want to do this full time?
Unnamed Paranoid Company! Contribute anything to OSS? ! Couldn’t get key hires based on NO policy ! Competitor started luring based on open OSS policy
Companies with any stake in technology not contributing to OSS
are at a distinct competitive disadvantage.
- Patrick McFadin 2015 OSCON
Thanks and happy contributing!
Twitter me: @PatrickMcFadin